It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. Mark Twain’s quote aside, big horsepower numbers are often the result of large displacement engines that are further coaxed by the addition of a forced induction system. Models like Bugatti’s Tourbillon utilize an 8.0-liter V16 hybrid engine that offers a four-figure power output, while models like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 employ a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine to achieve 1,064 hp.

However, large displacement engines are not a requirement to generate a high horsepower output. These are 10 cars that have relatively small engines producing high amounts of horsepower.

How we source our information : All figures and data presented in this article are sourced from the manufacturers.

10 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition

Toyota G16E-GTS – 300 hp

The GR Corolla is a capable all-rounder, capable of serving as a competent daily driver and a heart-rate elevating track tool. The MORIZO Edition offshoot dials its performance up to eleven, characterized as a lighter, more hardcore offering than the standard GR Corolla. Aside from removing the rear seats, the Morizo Edition features a handful of changes to its drivetrain, including revised differential and transmission gear ratios. Additionally, the MORIZO Edition’s three-cylinder G16E-GTS engine features revised engine tuning to support sustained acceleration at peak torque. The updated GR Corolla, which features a new front fascia design, outputs the same as the MORIZO Edition. However, the MORIZO Edition was the most powerful derivative when it debuted.

9 Lotus Emira

2.0L four-cylinder – 400 hp

The Lotus Emira is offered in two powertrain configurations; a turbocharged four-cylinder and a supercharged V6. The four-cylinder is the smaller engine and, when the Emira debuted, was the less-powered configuration. However, Lotus introduced the First Edition offshoot for the four-cylinder derivative, which, alongside some visual revisions, gained a small bump in power that now matches the output of the V6-powered counterpart. At 360 hp, the four-cylinder engine afforded the Emira the title of the most powerful four-cylinder-powered Lotus ever. Now that bump in power has further cemented that fact and has reduced its 0-62 mph sprint from 4.4 seconds to 4 seconds.

8 Audi RS3

2.5 TFSI – 401 hp

The Audi RS3 is a highly capable performance-focused offering from Audi, but the most notable aspect of the Audi RS3 is its engine. At the core of the Sportback and Sedan models is Audi’s 2.5 TFSI engine, which is a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine. The cylinder count is an oddity in the automotive world and a unique firing order, which affords the RS3 an exciting soundtrack and enough grunt to propel the sedan configuration down a quarter-mile drag strip in less than 12 seconds. 401 hp and a trick all-wheel-drive drivetrain culminate in a level of performance capable of easily contending with the likes of Mercedes A45S and Volkswagen’s Golf 8R.

7 Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-440 MR

2.0L four-cylinder – 440 hp

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-440 MR was the most powerful Evo ever sold and was created to celebrate the automaker’s 40th anniversary in the UK. Compared to the standard Evo X, the FQ-440 MR derivative featured a heavily modified and heavily boosted four-banger that made more than 100 hp more than the Final Edition model curtailing the Evo X’s lineage in the states. Modifications to the Evo X’s engine included high-flow fuel injectors, an HKS turbocharger, a new intercooler, and new intake and exhaust systems. As a result of the new hardware, it generated 220 hp/liter and could reach 62 mph in less than four seconds. It was quicker than the Final Edition and power was introduced much earlier in the rev range. Sadly, only 40 examples were ever produced.

6 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance

M139 four-cylinder – 469 hp

Mercedes’ M139 four-cylinder needs very little introduction. It is the most powerful four-cylinder engine ever created and has been the go-to power plant for many of the German automaker’s performance-focused models. Most notably, it was the replacement for the C63’s iconic BiTurbo V8 engine. While naysayers might argue that the V8 engine was better, the M139 four-cylinder is simply a better power plant, offering more power than the preceding V8 engine, and has elevated the AMG C63 moniker’s performance standards to new heights. Not only does it offer more power on its own, but it is accompanied by a powerful hybrid system culminating in an output of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft.

5 Ferrari F40

2.9L V8 – 471 hp

The definitive poster car. The Ferrari F40 is steeped in praise and admiration and at its core is the source of its infamous grunt and vigor. A 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine was the sole motivator of arguably the most iconic model in Ferrari’s history. 163 hp/liter was mustered by the 2,9-liter power plant and could propel the 3,000 lb F40 down a quarter-mile strip in 12 seconds and reach 122 mph in the process. Not only that, a half-mile sprint was completed in less than 20 seconds. It was a potent engine, featuring 32-valves, an aluminum engine block, aluminum cylinder heads, port injection, twin overhead camshafts for each bank, a dry sump oil system, and a 7.7:1 compression ratio.

4 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm

2.9L V6 – 533 hp

The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm was touted as the return of a legend and a return to the Italian marque’s return to its roots. Only 500 examples were primed for production, which was a punch in the gut considering the GTAm model was the most lust-worthy offering from Alfa Romeo in the last decade. Compared to the standard Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifolgio, the GTAm variant – with all its hardcore bells and whistles – had almost twice the amount of horsepower. The bump in power was thanks to a medley of changes to the Ferrari-sourced V6 engine. Most notable are the higher boost pressures, raised engine tuning, and a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system.

3 Mercedes-AMG ONE

PU106B V6 – 574 hp

The Mercedes-AMG ONE is powered by a genuine Formula One race car engine. Kind of. The V6 engine that powers the Mercedes-AMG ONE is a modified version of the 1.6L V6 that powered the Mercedes W206 Formula One race car. Modifications to the AMG ONE’s V6 reduced the idle rpm and the redline, although it still taps out at a ridiculous 11,000 rpm. It is the most powerful V6 engine equipped for a road car and one of the most power-dense V6 engines ever created. Its already lofty output is elevated by the four electric motors placed at each corner of the AMG ONE, pushing its maximum output to 1,063 hp.

2 Koenigsegg Gemera TFG

Koenigsegg’s Tiny Friendly Giant – 600 hp

Almost nobody wanted a three-cylinder engine in their multi-million dollar mega-car when the option of a potent and guttural 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine existed. It’s a shame given that the three-cylinder engine developed by Koenigsegg’s sister company, Freevalve, and dubbed the Tiny Friendly Giant, was going to pioneer impressive and promising combustion engine technology. Not only was it a camless piston engine that weighed only 154 lb, but it was also capable of producing more power than much larger engines could and furthered by an extremely powerful batch of electric motors that would offer the four-seater Koenigsegg Gemera a four-figure horsepower output.

1 Czinger 21C

2.88L V8 – 950 hp

The 21C’s odd V8 engine is the most power-dense engine fitted to a production car today. The flat-plane V8 engine is accompanied by an 800-volt electric drive system consisting of three electric motors that introduce an additional 300 hp on top of the engine’s 950 hp output. In its most potent configuration, the 21C is offered with a 1,350 hp powertrain. Developed in-house by Czinger, the bit-sized oversquare V8 engine is capable of revving to 11,000 rpm like the Mercedes-AMG ONE.

Sources: Toyota , Audi , Mercedes-AMG , Czinger , Koenigsegg , Mitsubishi , Alfa Romeo , Ferrari , Lotus